Amateur Wildlife Photo Saves an Injured Tiger's Life

Photo via The HinduWildlife photography has long been the preferred way for animal-lovers to 'capture' and 'shoot' the natural world without negatively impacting it -- but one recent incident proves that some photos can actually save wildlife, too. While on a visit to India's Ranthambhore National Park, state Tourism Minister and amateur wildlife photographer, Beena Kak, chanced the opportunity to snap a few pictures of a female tiger with her young offspring. Upon reviewing her snapshots, the Minister discovered something troubling -- a festering wound on the tiger's leg, threatening the life of the animal and her cubs."In the photographs and the video I noticed a red patch on the rump of the tigress. After seeing the pictures I went back to the spot where it was squatting and found blood stains on the ground," the Tourism Minster told The Hindu.

Armed with her pictures, Kak contacted the park officials requesting assistance for the injured animal. At first they didn't believe the tiger's injury warranted medical attention, but when Kak showed her photos to veterinarians, they decided that action needed to be taken.

When the tiger was tracked down and tranquilized, vets discovered a maggot-covered wound on the animal which, they say, would have been lethal if left untreated for just a few more days. Kak, who remained in the park to oversee the animal's treatment, is being hailed as a hero for her efforts to help rescue the injured tiger.

"The minister's timely action not only saved the tigress but also her two one-and-a half-month-old cubs who would not have survived without their mother," reports NDTV.